Virginia Gov. Youngkin Proposes New Funding for Water Quality and Flood Preparedness Programs

Today Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that his proposed budget will include $500 million for conservation projects, including support for water quality and flood preparedness. 

The Governor’s full budget proposal will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Viginia’s two-year budget will be considered by legislators during Virginia’s legislative session, which begins Jan. 10. 

Gov. Youngkin proposed the following levels of support for these important Virginia programs that are focused on improving the health of our waterways and protect homes and businesses from the growing impacts of climate change:

• Over $200 million for Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollution to waters in the Chesapeake Bay and local rivers and streams; 
• $50 million for the City of Richmond to address combined sewer overflows;
• $100 million for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, which protects homes and businesses from flooding;
• $25 million for Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund that focuses on providing loans for non-federal match and property scale projects; 
• $3 million for Virginia Oyster Replenishment Program to support the wild oyster harvest; and, 
• $2 million for freshwater mussel restoration.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore issued the following statement. 

“We welcome these proposed investments in important environmental initiatives including agricultural conservation practices, flood preparedness, and oyster and mussel restoration. These investments are critically important to improving water quality in the Commonwealth now and preparing Virginia for increasing climate change impacts in the future.”

“While we applaud these historic investments, there remains significant need for resources to Virginia’s wastewater sector to continue the tremendous progress they have made in reducing pollution to the Bay. We urge the General Assembly and Administration to appropriate the necessary funds to meet our water quality goals for wastewater treatment.”

“We look forward to working with the Governor, his Administration, and Virginia legislators in the upcoming legislative session to ensure these investments in key clean water programs are included in the final budget.”